I bought this after going on a Raw Food course. I think it's better made than the one they had at the cookery school and it does exactly the same job: long spaghetti-like threads of different thicknesses and curly spirals. You do lose the centre of the vegetable you are cutting - you are left with a perfect little stick - but you can slice these thinly or use them for dips or (as I do) eat while you cook! For this reason, large veg work better (there has to be enough of the vegetable to remove a 8mm core and still have something left to grate) so no good for those little finger carrots. The blades are easy to change and when not in use store in a convenient compartment beneath the unit. It does not stain, even with raw beetroot, and is easy to clean especially if you rinse it straight after use, before the food fibres have time to go sticky and get clogged in the blades. Lots of fun to use... I just couldn't stop turning things! I ummed and aaaed a lot before choosing this model over their vertical one but I think it's the right choice for me as I like that the food comes out at one side, not underneath, although the vertical one may be better for anyone short on storage space. I also bought the matching Lurch mandoline/slicer and am very pleased with it. Both good value products.